picture courtesy of pachd.com

The Wide-Body has been an organic gardener for a number of years. The decision to go organic was easy when I asked myself some questions and looked at certain factors. First, I asked myself, “Am I a chemist?” Did I do well in school, sure I did. But did I really know if the applications of fertilizer and pesticides were accurate and hence, harmless? No, I really didn’t. Did the idea of feeding the soil instead of feeding the plants make sense? It did, especially when I read how plans take their nutrients from the soil, how healthy soils accelerate root growth, and how chemical fertilizers don’t complete their breakdown in the soil, but instead leave salts and other residue behind. Finally, how much did the organic garden cost? Well, the first year, the yields were lower than the year before, and I was spending as much on organic products as I was on artificial. The next year, the costs decreased, and the yields increased. Greener grass, more fruit, stronger flowers, and less water used; the results were incredible. I go through that year, and life has been good.

So, I don’t tell you all that just so that you will change the fertilizer on your grass. You are probably saying, “So what do you eat?” or “Organic food is so expensive” or “Should I buy all organic food or are there times when I can buy something more conventional and be okay?” The answers…”I eat everything”, “Not always” and “Yes”.

The good news is that as organic food becomes more popular, the price delta between conventional and organic grown food is narrowing. It is basic supply and demand, and this is the first time on this blog that I used the term “price delta”. Woo-hoo, the MBA is paying off!

Watching your budget? Who isn’t? Here is a list of foods where you should spend a little more, and places where you can cut a few dollars. Full details can be found here: http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/microsite/article/0,8029,s6-242-300-0-13391-0,00.html

Protein Source:
Splurge: GRASS-FED BEEF (Wide-Body note- If you find “longhorn beef” grab it. Longhorn is supposed to ONLY be grass fed, and the flavor is wonderful. My second favorite is buffalo. You need to know that there is less fat in these cuts, so if you over cook them, they will be dry. Sear the meat first, then cook to medium, not well done.
Save: DARK CHICKEN MEAT

Healthy Oils:
Splurge: VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
Save: CHUNK LIGHT TUNA

Produce:
Splurge: ORGANIC PEACHES, APPLES, PEPPERS, CELERY, AND NECTARINES
Save: FROZEN PRODUCE

Snacks:
Splurge: FAIR TRADE BANANAS
Save: LARGE SNACK BAGS (Wide-Body note: Have you ever tried “Pirate Booty”. Healthy and tastes great)

Dairy:
Splurge: GREEK YOGURT
Save: REGULAR EGGS